The Argosy — page 251: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

232 Five Thousand a Year. “ Because it is too dear. I am not justified in giving so much. The fact is, Adam, I do not much want a new dress, for I have plenty of good ones, only I thought I should like to wear something new at little Walter’s christening.” “You would like this dress, I see, Margaret. I will give it you.” Margaret laughed. ‘That will be something like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Whether it comes out of your pocket or mine, Adam, I suspect it is much the same. It is too costly.” “My dear, you need not hesitate at the cost of a gown. It is an insignificant item, taken in connection with the income that will soon be ours. Ina little while if you choose to spend ten times as much in dress, you may do so.” ‘Dear me! It seems as if one could not realise it. Yet we have been quite happy: we seem to have had all our wants fully sup- plied.” “ Here—who’s that ?” he suddenly called out, hearing some one pass the door—“ Sophy? Oh, it’s you, Jemima,” he added, as the nurse ap- peared. “Take that into your mistress’s room.” And he proceeded to put up the rejected silks. ‘* They will be sent for presently,” said Mrs. Grainger. ‘“ Adam, is it really true that so great a fortune is opening to us ?” ‘“‘ My dear, my share will not be a farthing less than five thousand a year. I wish I was not hampered with that confounded office, I should be down in Cornwall on the spot, hastening the works on. However, it will not be long before I emancipate myself from it. Would you like a trip into Cornwall, Margaret? ”’ | ‘“When I am stronger.” “Tt would be the very thing for you, I know, and do the children good. Suppose we go down for three or four months when the weather gets warm! We could get a furnished house, I dare say, in the niagh- bourhood of Trebeddon.” *“‘ And let this for the time ?” “Let this! No; give it up. I don’t mind sacrificing some rent. When we return, we shall require a residence of far superior style to this. I saw Little to-day, opie wage and he says they have begun to sink the whim-shaft.” ‘“‘Whim-shaft ? ” she echoed. “You don’t understand, I see. Were you ever down in a mine, Margaret ? ” ‘‘ No,” she answered with an amused look. “ You shall go down one, and see its wonders.” ‘“* But do ladies venture down such places?” ‘‘ Oh, it’s nothing, if they have plenty of pluck. How delighted Algie will be to explore it! I shall take him down. The miners, round about, think these works of ours will yield a larger return than any in the = « Gomicbooks.cor